From Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People:
Few things that one is likely to experience on an average day can weaken, disable and even kill a person more quickly than diarrhea. Fortunately, many herbs are often close at hand that can be used for diarrhea. Herbs that are astringent and antispasmodic are useful. Most often, I will simply scrape some Oak bark off one of the white oak trees in my yard, a water oak if I am down in the sandhills or swamps, or a live oak on the coast. I usually have some Cloves in the spice cabinet, or can find some in any grocery store, and that works as an antispasmodic. If I am home, I will also slowly chew on Calamus Root. Calamus is antispasmodic as well, and is very soothing to the intestines.
Fr. Kneipp gave the following advice, in addition to compresses on the abdomen of cold water and vinegar soaked cloths, which help cool and calm:
For the interior, tea is taken made from wormwood (Artemesia absinthum) with sage (Salvia officinalis), from centaury (Centaurium erythraea) with sage, or from common yarrow with St. John's wort (Hypericum), one or two small cupfuls daily, or 6 to 10 juniper (Juniperus) -berries are taken daily. All the above mentioned remedies assist the digestion, increase the stomach -juices and, at the same time, contain nourishment.
If the diarrhoea is violent and of longer duration, half a spoonful of bilberry-spirit should be taken (in warm water) twice daily.
Bilberry is closely related to the American Blueberry but is more astringent.
Fr. Künzle recommended several herbs for Diarrhea and several entries in his book.
The lady's mantle, drunk as tea, cures the diarrhea. This herb is of the highest value for cattle; fed dry, it heals diarrhea.
Goldenrod (Solidago virga aurea) You will find this perennial, often a meter-high plant, with yellow flowers in deforested places, berry places, along roadsides. It rightly deserves the name goldenrod. Internally one uses the tea for croup, sore throat, bladder ailments, light diarrhea, sleeplessness, but for the internal use one should always add the same amount of juniper berries or common centaury; take half a cup three to five times a day
Tree moss (the best kind grows on oaks and poplars) boiled with wine or cider cures the strongest diarrhea. Another disregarded plant created by God for our good!
Tree moss (pseudevernia furfuracea), boiled and to be drunk.
The Creator has given St Benedict's herb the power to draw and eliminate everything that should not be in the eyes, nose, teeth, brain nor in the heart; it heals eye ache, headache, toothache, nasal catarrh, also diarrhea, strengthens the heart miraculously and cheers you up.
The dead nettle (Lamium) resembles a nettle so much that only experts can tell the two apart, before it begins to blossom. As soon as it blooms, every child can distinguish it; they have flowers around the stem with overhanging roofs; there are white, yellow, red, spotted dead nettles. The white and yellow ones are considered to be the best. The children pluck the blossoms off and suck the honey.
God has given this plant the power to cool, to kill fever, heat and inflammation; it relieves diarrhea in humans and in cattle. Old men suffering from great pains because they cannot urinate find relief after drinking a few cups of this herb.
Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) can be found in all wet places, in ditches and in standing water in huge quantities. This despised herb is a miraculous gift from God because its blossoms are so soothing when used for
1. fever; 2. diarrhea and calf paralysis; 3. Prepared with wine and drunk for edema; 4. Rheumatic ailments of all kinds. (Boil blossoms with wine and drink often!) 5. The leaves work well on stab wounds and cuts.
Remedies for Diarrhea:
C
ommon box (buxus sempervirens) - the one that grows in gardens, boiled and to be drunk.
Green Blackberry leaves, boiled and drunk, young thicket creeper (Parthenocissus inserta) leaves, hazelnut leaves, green, boiled and to be drunk.
If you are able to eat them raw, you can eat hazelnut or blackberry leaves or young thicket creeper leaves with bread without boiling them, which can sometimes be useful when you are travelling.
Edeweiss A good remedy for diarrhea is Edelweiss (4 - 5 flowers are enough) and the related herb
Cudweeds (Gnaphalium in all its varieties). Boil these flowers well and drink a cup or two, and the malady is gone. It is even more effective with wine.
Another remedy is the cotton-grass (Eriophorum species) growing in marshes, it has a crown of fine, white wool; boil it and to be drunk.
My best remedy is TormentilI (Potentilla tormentilla). It is to be boiled in wine and to be drunk.
.. one can treat Diarrhea with blackberry leaves tea; they are green even in winter and can always be found at the edges of the forest; Edelweiss works even faster (four to five flowers, well boiled is enough quantity), the fastest remedy is the tea from tormentil (Potentilla erecta).
For persistent diarrhea yarrow, mallow, shepherd’s purse, Lady’s mantle, leaves of blackberries, raspberries and blueberries help when used for a longer period of time.
Chocolate is useful for those who suffer from diarrhea because it blocks diarrhea.
Maria Treben's herbal recommendations for diarrhea include:
Calamus, Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus) An elderly priest suffering from diarrhoea for years, had resigned himself to the situation. Following my advice he began to take 6 sips of Calamus root tea daily. ln a short time he was back to normal.
A small boy, who, despite a strict diet, suffered from diarrhoea (diarrhea) got well after taking 6 sips of Calamus root tea, his appetite returned and he gained a few pounds. His mother was overjoyed.
A man suffering from bloody diarrhoea for 10 years had turned, understandably, from a happy carefree person into a miserable one. Everything he had tried all these years was without success.
He was pensioned off still fairly young. Before Easter he started, at first suspiciously, to take 6 sips of Calamus root tea daily and besides this he drank 2 cups of Calendula tea. My surprise was great when I received a letter from his wife telling me he had started work again at the beginning of June.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) lnternally, Calendula as a tea, is used for gastrointestinal disorders, stomach cramps and stomach ulcer, as well as inflammation of the large intestine, dropsy and blood in the urine. lt is excellent for virus infections and bacteria in the urine. What wonderful results the use of the tea of fresh Calendula has is noted in a letter a physician sent to me: "A small 2 ½ year old girl became very sick after repeated polio inoculations. She had chronic diarrhorea, loss of weight, visual weakness and difficulties with food. ln a clinical checkup, paratyphoid fever was diagnosed and the child was therefore under clinical supervision. One week after drinking tea, made of fresh Calendula flowers and some homoeopathic medicines, the child was substantially better. The examination for typhoid bacillus, carried out three times shortly afterwards, was negative for the first time."
A nun told me she suffered from diarrhoea. Although she drank Camomile tea, it did not get better- Only &r she had used Calendula tea was there an improvement.
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) It is no exaggeration if I cite the Camomile as a "cure-all" especially for babies. In any case, the child should be given Camomile tea if it suffers from cramps and stomach aches. The tea is of help in flatulence, diarrhoea, eruptions, stomach troubles and gastritis, in menstrual disorders, cessation of menstrual flow and in all abdominal disorders, insomnia, inflammation of the testicles, fever, wounds and toothache.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) Many physicians have realized the beneficial qualities of Sage; they use it with great success for cramps, disorders of the spinal cord, glandular disorders and for trembling of the limbs. For these disorders 2 cups are sipped throughout the day. This tea is valuable in Iiver complaints, dispels flatulence and all complaints caused by an ill liver. It is blood cleansing, dispels phlegm from the respiratory organs and the stomach, increases the appetite, rectifies intestinal trouble and diarrhoea.
Ramsons (Allium ursinum) Ramsons is beneficial for the stomach and intestines. lt is most suitable for acute and chronic diarrhoea even when this is associated with flatulence and colic, as well as for constipation when this is caused by inactivity or sluggishness of the intestines.
Dysentery is the most severe form of diarrhea. Historically, severe diarrhea or dysentery has probably killed more people than any virus or war. Traditionally, many herbs have been used by American and European herbalists to treat diarrhea and dysentery.
Uva-Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) dried leaf tea is strongly astringent and is useful for diarrhea.
Partridgeberry (Mitchella repens) fresh leaf and berry tea used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Garlic, simply peeled and eaten may be useful for diarrhea and dysentery.
Catnip (Nepta cataria) tea is a folk remedy for diarrhea.
Fireweed (Erechtities hieracifolia) tincture is astringent used for diarrhea.
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) leaf tea is astringent, used for diarrhea.
Plantain-Leaved Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia) whole plant traditionally boiled in milk for diarrhea.
Saint Andrew's Cross (Hypericum hypericoides) root tea used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Velvet Leaf (Abutilon theophrasti) leaf and root tea used for dysentery.
Golden Corydalis (Corydalis aurea) tea used foe diarrhea.
Wood Betony (Pedicularis) antispasmodic used for diarrhea.
Stoneroot (Collinsonia canadensis) tea used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Golden Ragwort (Senecio aureus) root and leaf tea used for dysentery.
Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) leaf tea used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra) Strongly astringent. Root used for diarrhea.
Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Tannin rich and highly astringent. Used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) astringent used for diarrhea.
Canada Thistle (Cirisum arvense) root tea used for dysentery and diarrhea.
Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis) leaf tea used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Kudzu (Pueraria lobata) root tea used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) root tea astringent for diarrhea and dysentery.
Columbo Root (Swertia caroliniensis) root tea used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Canada Fleabane (Erigeron canadensis) is a good, soothing and tonic astringent for diarrhea. This and cold Yarrow tea are the two herbs I have found to be helpful for Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Colitis.
Alum Root (Heuchera americana) as the name implies, is very astringent and good for diarrhea and dysentery.
Ditch Stonecrop (Penthorum sedoides) tinctures soothes mucus membranes and may help with both diarrhea and constipation.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf tea is astringent and good for diarrhea. Nettles are also high in minerals and are good for weakness following diarrhea.
Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) leaf tea may be used for diarrhea.
Amaranth and Chenopodium these are wild, edible greens that have many common names - pigweed, goosefoot, lamb' quarters, etc. They are healthy greens, often overlooked and considered to be weeds. Both may be used as a tea for diarrhea and as a nourishing meal afterward. Many of our more bitter garden greens - collards, mustard, turnips, etc may be used similarly. My great grandfather swore by "pot likker" the broth in which greens were cooked, for all digestive complaints. There is one though, called Mexican Wormseed or Chenopodium ambrosioides that may be toxic and even cause dermatitis in handling.
Ragweed (both common and giant) leaf tea is considered to be good as an astringent for diarrhea and helps with digestive cramping as an antispasmodic.
Beech Drops (Epifagus virginiana) the whole fresh plant is said to make a very astringent tea that is useful for diarrhea and dysentery.
Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum) is a folk remedy for diarrhea. But, so is regular black tea. If you don't have Labrador Tea, which was used as a substitute for regular tea by early Americans, I see no need to seek it out.
Raspberry (red and black) This was mentioned earlier, but is so easy to use, tasty and usually fairly easy to find that it bears repeating. Raspberry leaf tea is a good astringent that may be used for diarrhea.
Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum) bark tea or tincture is good for diarrhea and dysentery.
Beauty Bush (Callicarpa americana) root tea used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Red Root (Ceoanthus americanus) Root is astringent and sedative - good for diarrhea and dysentery.
Steeplebush (Spiraea tomentosa) leaf tea used for diarrhea and dysentery - similar to Potentilla.
The Sumacs (Rhus) leaf and root bark tea good for diarrhea and dysentery. The berries are high in vitamin C, so also good for recovery. The fruit is very sour and a good tonic for the entire digestive system - sometimes called "lemonade bush".
Sweetfern (Comptonia peregrina) leaf tea is astringent, good for diarrhea and dysentery.
LOTS OF TREES! As I explained with Oak, many trees have strongly astringent properties and may be used as a tea for diarrhea and dysentery, including: Tamarisk/Larch, all the Pines, Tree of Heaven, Tuliptree, all the Oaks, Sweetgum, Sycamore, Redbud, Walnut, Hickory, Pecan, American Persimmon, Red Mulberry and at the very least Slippery Elm
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) flowers used as tea for diarrhea and dysentery.
Wild Grapes - various herbal traditions usually use the grapes that grow where they live. As best I can tell, grapes are grapes in terms of herbal use. The leaves are astringent. You can use them as a tea for diarrhea or include them in your homemade pickles to keep the cucumbers crisp, or stuff them with meat and rice and eat them. Red wines are also astringent.
Clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum) This herb is especially popular in German Folk Medicine. It is a key ingredient in the Swedish Bitters. It should be much more used in American herbalism. It is good for diarrhea and many ailments.
Cattail (Typha latifolia) Cattails are one of those plants that seem to have a use for everything, including food and medicine. The young flower heads are said to be good for diarrhea. The root boiled in milk is used for diarrhea and dysentery.
Author: Judson Carroll. Judson Carroll is an Herbalist from the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. His weekly articles may be read at
http://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/
His weekly podcast may be heard at: www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbs
He offers free, weekly herb classes:
https://rumble.com/c/c-618325
This article is an excerpt from Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People by Judson Carroll
You can read about and purchase Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People here: southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.html
Also available on Amazon: Herbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People: Carroll, Judson: 9798491252923: Amazon.com: Books
His New Book is Christian Herbal Medicine, History and Practice
Read about his new book, Christian Medicine, History and Practice:
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.html
Available for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTB
His other works include:
Look Up: The Medicinal Trees of the American South, An Herbalist's Guide:
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/06/paypal-safer-easier-way-to-pay-online.html
The Herbs and Weeds of Fr. Johannes Künzle:
https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/05/announcing-new-book-herbs-and-weeds-of.html
Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.
4
